Netflix & Crave Update
You may observe a reduction in video quality on Netflix and Crave due to the unprecedented demand for those streaming services.
Both services have decided to reduce their resolutions in response to this demand and the other Canadian services may do so as well shortly.
More Closures and Cancelations
All music stores in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec have been ordered closed by Midnight, tonight. Please contact your local stores for alternative delivery options.
The Record Fair that was scheduled for May 31st in St.John’s, Newfoundland has also been cancelled. And the 22nd Ottawa Community Record Show has also been postponed and will not occur on the 3rd of May.
Links To Pass The Time
Here’s a list of a few resources for free music, audiobooks, ebooks, etc:
- Archive.org – Free Books, Movies, Software and Music
- Avery – Free Printing Templates – Design & Print Online
- Bensound.com – Royalty-Free Music
- CBC Kids – Games for kids
- The Free Music Archive – Royalty-Free Music
- Facebook – Free music and live performances
- CBC Gem – Free television programs, film, news and documentaries
- Google Play – Free Apps
- Hoopla Digital – Rent Books, Films and Music via your Public Library for Free
- ici.Tout.tv – Free On-Demand Television and Film in French
- iTunes podcasts – Free podcasts
- Jack Box Games – Multiple player party games
- Jamendo Music – Free music streams and downloads
- Librivox – Free Public Domain Audiobooks
- Loyalbooks – Free Public Domain eBooks and Audiobooks
- Musopen.org – Royalty Free Music and Sheet Music
- Music Together – Live performances brought to you by Ontario Live
- National Film Board of Canada – Various short films, documentaries and animation
- Ontario Feeder Cam – Watch birds live or on replay. Relaxing.
- Open Culture – Free films, Audiobooks, eBooks, Textbooks & more
- Overdrive – Rent Books, Films and Music via your Public Library for Free
- Plex TV – Free movies
- Project Gutenberg – Free e-books
- Soundcloud – Free music and podcasts
- Spotify – Free music via app
- TVO – Documentaries and current affairs programs
- TVO Kids – Educational programing and games for kids
- Youtube – Free music and live performances
- Vimeo – Music videos, documentaries and short films
- WWE – Free access to Wrestling archives
Free previews are also available to new customers from Netflix, Disney+ and other streaming services. And I may add additional links in the next few days.
Enjoy. And be safe.
Closures & Reduced Hours
Sunshine Records has decided to close its stores and fulfilment center, so online orders have been suspended by the chain.
Indigo Book stores are also now closed but online orders are still being processed, with free shipping until March 31st, 2020.
Best Buy locations will remain open for their reserve and pick-up services. They are also still shipping from their web site.
Archambault stores are remaining open in Quebec, as are Bad Boy locations in Ontario but I suspect they will reduce their hours shortly as Long & McQuade has.
Many independent record stores have decided to close throughout Canada. Please consult their respective websites and Facebook groups for details.
March 18, 2020 Update
Variety has reported that Amazon.com has stopped accepting CD and vinyl shipments to concentrate their efforts on the distribution of essential goods.
It should be noted that marketplace items on this site and on Amazon.ca are shipped independently by sellers and should not be disrupted, for the time being.
By the way, don’t forget to check Facebook for impromptu performances by your favourite artists. Burton Cummings, Jann Arden and P!nk are only three of the artists that have had live feeds up to entertain their fans.
Enjoy. And be safe.